Latch.



Gr. A. BENZ.

LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, 1912.

Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

@mue/144201,

ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAFF A. BENZ, 0F BIG ISLAND TOWNSHIP, MARION COUNTY, OHIO.

LATCH.

Patented Ang. 19,1913.

Application filed May 7, 1912. Serial No. 695,725.

T0 ad whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GUs'rAFF A. BENZ, a citizen of the United States, residing in Big Island township, in the county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to latches of the type adapted for use in latching heavy doors such as barn doors and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to improve and simplify the general construction of devices of this character.

A second object of the invention is to provide an improved form of keeper and housing therefor.

Vith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in general in certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like charact-ers of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and Figure 1 is a side elevation of the latch and keeper, the position of the door and frame being indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 2 is a back view of the latch showing the spring, and Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 showing also the keeper.

My invention consists of a latch mounted in a slot in an L shaped frame, and a keeper for said latch. In the accompanying drawings the longer member of said frame is designated by 10 and the shorter member by 11; the slot is designated by 12; 13 designates diagonal webs which serve as braces.

Through suitable alined openings in the sides of the member 10 extends a pivot pin 14 whereon is pivoted the latch 15 which is provided with a head 16 having a straight engaging face 17, a curved cam face 18 and a concave rear face 19. The member 10 intermediate its sides is provided with a notch 20 wherein is seated one end of a spring 21 held in place by a rivet 22. This spring is but slightly curved and serves the double function of limiting the movement of the latch in one direction and allowing yieldab-le movement in the opposite direction.

The keeper consists of a simple metallic plate bent to form portions 23 and 24 lying at acute angles to each other. Both the frame and keeper are provided with suitable screw receiving openings 25 and the latch is also provided with a rod 26 having upon its ends knobs 27 and 28 so that the latch may be operated from either side of the door.

In use the device is so applied to a door and its frame that the curved cam surface 18 of the latch will engage the keeper and force the latch to move against the resistance of the spring until the straight surface 17 can engage the keeper and hold the door closed.

There has thus been provided a simple and eiicient device of kind described and for the purpose specified.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. A door fastener comprising an L shaped frame, a slot therein, a latch pivotally mounted in said slot, a leaf spring bearing on said latch and secured at one end to said frame, a. keeper, and a rod passing through said latch and said spring for operating said latch.

2. In combination with a door and the frame of a door, a latch pivotally mounted in a slot in an L shaped frame mounted in said door, and a keeper mounted in said door frame; said latch being pivotally mounted within said slot; a leaf spring mounted on said frame bearing against said latch; a head on said latch, and said keeper comprising a metallic plate bent to form an acute angle to engage said head, and means for operating said latch.

In testimony whereof I hereto afliX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAFF A. BENZ.

Witnesses:

LULU G. STUMP, GHAs. IVI. FINLEY.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

